Page:A book of nursery songs and rhymes (1895).pdf/172

 and he asserted, 'This curious ditty was written down during the sovereignty of James the Third of Scotland, and is, consequently, nearly 400 years old' (P. Buchan, 'Ancient Songs of Scotland,' 1878). Christie, in his 'Traditional Ballad Airs,' 1876, gives the air as now attached to 'Puir Auld Maidens' in Scotland. Although I have said that Mrs. Humby sang 'Here's a Pretty Set of Us' to the traditional air (probably), it is quite possible, though not probable, that she composed it. The song and the tunes cannot be traced earlier than the beginning of this century.

XIV. AMONG THE GREEN HAY

This is an old nursery song that I have had from an old lady in Devon, who heard it from her grandmother. She forgot two of the verses, but Miss L. E. Broadwood has kindly supplied me with them from a Hampshire singer.

XV. ONE MICHAELMAS MORN

A Devonshire nursery song.

XVI. THE OLD COUPLE

Pretty universally known in England. Halliwell, 'Nursery Tales and Rhymes,' p. 270, with 'Fa-la-fa-la-la-la' in place of 'Tweedle, tweedle dee.' We have given it with music in 'The Garland' (Methuen, 1894).

XVII. THE FROG WHO WOULD A-WOOING GO

This song was composed and sung by Liston at Covent Garden Theatre, and took the place of the far earlier song on the same lines of 'The Frog and Mouse,' concerning which, see Chappell's 'English Popular Music of the Olden Time,' and my 'Garland of Country Songs.'

XVIII. MY JOHNNY WAS A SHOEMAKER

From 'The Besom-Maker, and other Country Songs,' collected by Mr. Heywood Sumner.

XIX. THE JACKET AND PETTICOAT

This is taken from Miss M. H. Mason's 'Nursery Rhymes and Country Songs,' p. 29. Also in Laurie and Marby's 'Rhymes and Jingles.'